Garage door opener and closer



Dec. 1941- c. F. WHITTLESEY 2,265,214

GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND CLOSER Filed June 12, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG-11 'li (5 i [i E 3 FIG-12 Iuventor:

5 3 FIG-13 1941- c. F. WHITTLESEY 2,265,214

GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND CLOSER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 12, 1939 v v I v 3- Hmwemiim:

' 1941- c. F. WHITTLESEY 2,265,214

GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND CLOSER Filed June 12, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 amen noon ormmz AND crosaa Charles F. Whittleaey, m Angeles, can. Application June 1:, 1939, Serial No. 21am Claims. (01. 263-37) This invention relates to the automatic opening and closing of that type of garage doors which pivot at the sides and swing overhead, commonly known as Overhead doors. It is mechanically operated without electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic connections; is positive and dependable in operation, is simple, inexpensive in initial cost and has no maintainance expense. It is quick in action.

These objects are attained by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, showing a door mounting embodying th features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing my improved door opener and closer;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a portion of the mechanisms shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing a portion of the trip mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a view showing the exterior of my novel telescoping member which forms a part of the door opener and closer;

Fig. 6 is a central sectional view through the member shown in Fig. 5; r

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section showing the link and bracket;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the control device on the actuating rod shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary transverse section of the device shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the crank and link assembly;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a transverse section through a portion of the assembly shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the latch bolt;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the bolt shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an end view of the bolt shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is another view of the bolt shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is a view of a portion of the latch bolt connecting rod;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of my invention;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary central sectional view of the telescoping rod forming part of the device shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the gooseneck of the rod shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 is a. transverse section through the rod shown in Fig. 21

Fig. 23 is a transverse section showing the hook members through the gooseneck shown in Fig.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the crank pin engaging its companion slot;

Fig. 25 is a sectional view through the crank pin assembly;

Fig. 26 is an elevational view of the crank pin assembly;

Fig. 27 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the link and stud assembly shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 28 is a sectional view showing a modified form of actuating device;

Fig. 29 is a transverse section through the device shown in Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a modified form of the device and the actuating Fig. 31 is a transverse section through the device shown in Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 30;

Fig. 33 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the strike assembly;

Fig. 34 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a further modification of my invention;

Fig. 35 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 36 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the modified device;

Fig. 37 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the device shown in Fig. 35 showing the spiral spring;

Fig. 38 is a horizontal transverse section through the spring shown in Fig. 37;

Fig. 39 is a vertical transverse section through the spring shown in Fig. 37;

Fig. 40 is a view of the spring pivot;

Fig. 41 is another view of the spring pivot;

Fig. 42 is a view showing the spring pivot in another position;

Fig. 43 is an enlarged fragmentary view through the actuating mechanism forming a part of the device shown in Fig. 35;

Fig. 44 is a transverse section through the device shown in Fig. 43;

Fig. 45 is an enlarged view of the bell-crank shown in Fig. 25; and

Fig. 46 is a top plan view of the bell-crank shown in Fig. 45.

' Similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts in all the drawings.

Referring .to the drawings A Fig. 2 indicates the floor in the garage; 13 indicates the surface of the driveway; C in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 indicates the garage framingi D indicates the door post and E the siding or sheathing. F is the door in section and G is the angle iron usually installed near both vertical edges of the door. H and I are the arms which attach the, angle irons G to the pivots J at both sides of door, upon which the door swings overhead. J is usually secured to a plank K bolted or spiked to the studding. L is one of two long helical springs usually attached to the door on arms I at the front, and to the garage ceiling at their rear ends. These are to counterbalance the door to make it easy to open by hand, being in tension when the door is closed. In lieu of these springs, counterweights are often used, swinging about pivots J. In opening. the bottom of the door describes an are as at M, Fig. 2.

As described thus far this door mechanism is in common use and no part of it is claimed as new. Electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic opening devices have been used, but these are very slow in action and are otherwise unsatisfactory.

It seems obvious that any lever or combination of rigidly connected mechanisms connecting a garage door with a trip or other device to be operated or acted upon by the weight and momentum of a moving motor car traveling at a speed other than a snails pace, even one-half mile per hour, cannot successfully open the door, but would instead strain or break the door or some part of the mechanism or the car wheel would ride over the trip without operating it.

To make it operate successfully an elastic or flexible member must be interposed, capable of absorbing instantly the energy imparted by the weight and momentum of a car traveling at a speed of five or six miles per hour, and capable of sustaining this energy until it has been expended in the work of opening or closing the door.

The following described mechanism is claimed to be new:

In Figures 2, 3 and 4 is a trip intended to be operated or acted upon by the wheel of a motor car. Its normal position is vertical and when the car approaches the garage door from the outside to open the door the trip I is rotated and depressed by the wheel action to a horizontal position in the direction of arrow IA, Figs. 2 and 3; and when inversely the car leaves the garage, to close the door, the wheel rotates the trip to the horizontal in the direction of arrow IB. The trip has its hearings in pillow blocks 2 in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The crank 3, Figs. 2, 3 and 4 is aligned with the trip I with which it is here shown integral; its position is normally vertical. At the extremity of this crank is crank pin 4, Figs. 2, 3 and 4. On the crank pin 4 rides a link 5 with which is connected a reciprocating rod or bar 6, Figs. 2 and 3, see also Figs. 11, 12 and 13. On the rod 6 is a device I Figs. 2 and 3, see also Figs. 8, 9 and 10 which operates in conjunction with anchor pins 8 and 9 Figs. 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10. The inner end of the rod 6 has an' eye at It Figs. 2 and 3 reciprocating or oscillating on a pin in the end of the short arm of a right angle bell crank II Figs. 2 and 3, which oscillates or reciprocates on a fixed stud at I2 secured to plank I3 Figs. 2 and 3 which is fixed to the studding or frame C. On a pin in the end of the long arm of hell crank II oscillates and reciprocates an elastic and/or flexible telescoping com osite member I4 Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. This member connects the bell crank II with a bracket I5 which is riveted or bolted to the angle iron G on the door near one edge of the door (see Figs. 1, 2, and 7). The bracket I5 carries a fixed stud I5A, Figs. 1 and '7 on which slides a long link I6, Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, which link is attached tothe upper end of I4 and in line with it as shown. A latch bolt I'I Figs. 1 and 2 also Figs. 14 and 15 is actuated by a rod I8 Figs. 2, 14 and 18 from a stud on the long arm of bell crank II.

In the drawings Figs. 2 and 3 the door is shown closed. The part or parts of the mechanism outside of the garage except the trip I is shown in a masonry trench Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and except the trip, under a wooden cover.

If the trip is placed sixteen feet away from the door, a car can approach the door and strike the trip at six miles per hour, clear the door and enter the garage without slackening speed.

The cycle of operation to open the door automatically is as follows:

The trip I is depressed by the front wheel of the approaching car to the horizontal position indicated by arrow IA, Figs. 2 and 3. This carries crank 3 to the horizontal position in the opposite direction and the crank pin 4 describes the are at K Fig. 2 and carries the link 5 to the position indicated diagrammatically at 5A Fig. 2. This moves the rod 6 in the same direction and elevates it to position indicated at 6A. This action of the rod 6 moves the short arm of hell crank I I thru a ninety degree are to the position of the long arm of the bell crank shown in Fig. 2 provided that the length of crank 3 is equal to the length of chord of the arc thru which the pin at Ill on the bell crank travels. This movement of the bell crank elevates the endof its long arm to the position shown by diagram at I8 in Fig. 2. Therefore, if the position of bracket IS on the door remains unaltered, member I4 is telescoped, shortened and compressed (I4 is described in detail hereinafter). The compression of the member I4 creates a force to counteract or oppose the force applied to I by the car wheel, and as the wheel is on, over and off the trip I instantaneously this counteracting force would return all the before mentioned parts to their original positions without having performed any work of opening the door but for the intervention of the device I in conjunction with the anchor pin 8 which works thus; reference is here made to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 which show this part of the mechanism in detail.

The before mentioned movement of rod 6 both horizontally and vertically carries the member 1 into contact with pin 8 as shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the member I carries two latch hooks IA and 13 Fig. 8. These oscillate independently of each other on pins 10. They are held in normal position as shown at IB by springs ID against stop pin IE. When the member I has contacted pin 8 it continues to move horizontally but can no longer move ver-' tically because pin 8 is rigidly located. In effect therefore, pin 8 rides onto the member IA rod 6 is sprung downward, producing a force which depresses the member IA against spring 1D. The progressive positions of the member IA in relation to pin 8 are shown in Fig. 8 at 8A, 8B, 8C and at 8D in which last position the pressure is relieved; rod 6 springs upward to normal, and

the pressure being relieved from the-back of the 2,286,214 member 1A it retums to its normal position under force of spring ID as indicated by dotted line at IF Fig. 8. At this position of the member I crank pin 4 has brought link 5 to position 5A and rod 8 to the end of its travel, and the hook on the member IA at rest on the top of pin 8 as shown at position 8D in Fig. 8 which holds the member I in compression with a tension in bar 5 holding hook on the member 1A against pin 8; the member IA is hooked on pin 8 before the car wheel has left the trip.

The composite member I l is shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 5 being a fragmentary elevation and Fig. 6 a fragmentary section.

A helical spring MB Figs. 5 and 6 is attached at its ends to both ends of a telescoping member consisting of a rod sliding within a tube or tubes (here shown as sliding in a tube which slides within another tube). The function of this telescoping member is to hold the spring B in an approximately straight line without restricting its expansion or contraction endwise or longitudinally. spring NB must have suflicient power when compressed between l9 and I5 to move the door upward and open; if and when the door is free to move. The greatest power is required to start the door movement upward for as it rises, the springs L secure increasing leverage on the door to assist in opening it. When the door is entirely open the springs L hang slack.

Latch bolt I1, Figs. 1 and 2, is shown in detail in Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 1'7. It is held within its keeper [1A, which is attached .to angle G on the door F, Figs. 14 and 15 by a helical spring "B and is released from keeper by a trigger I'IC, which is actuated by the rod l8 having at its lower end a slot shown in Fig. 18 which rides on a small stud on the long arm of bell crank ll close to pivot l2. This slot is required because the movement at the upper end of rod l8 necessary to operate the trigger is slight, and the movement of the stud on the bell crank on which the lower end of rod l8 rides is necessarily greater due to the size of pivot l2.

In the operation of opening the door, rod I8 has no upward movement until bell crank II has r0 tated partly toward position l9 and until the small stud on the bell crank has traversed the slot at the bottom of rod IE to its upper end. The remainder of the rotation of the bell crank actuates rod l8 and trigger "C which withdraws the bolt from the keeper as the bell crank reaches position I9. This releases the door as the member MB reaches its maximum compression. The pressure of the member MB is transferred to the door by the lower end of link I6 to stud ISA.

The door then starts opening, swinging upward under the influence of the compressed member MB. This influence continues, accelerating the movement of the door and imparting to it momentum.

When the member MB under this action is extended to its normal length, stud ISA on bracket l5 leaves the bottom of link [6 and under the momentum of the moving door and the increasing pull of springs L travels to the top of link IS. The stud I5A moving in an arc draws the members l6 and H to the position shown at ISA and A in Fig. 2. I

Link i6 is of such length that stud I5A reaches its top end slightly before the door has come to rest in its open position or at position IGB. The farther travel of the door and stud 15A to position I513, Fig. 2 drags the members I6 and I4 slightly upward, putting a slight tension in the member MB and thus rotating the bell crank slightly farther in the direction it has been traveling. This slight motion is imparted to rod 6 which pushes the hook of IA off of pin 8. (This tension in the member I 413 also softens the impact of the door on door head framing).

This removal of the hook from pin 8 permits trip I and crank 3 to resume their vertical positions under the weight of the members 5 and 6 and rod 6 and link 5 drop; but link I will then be in position 513, Fig. 2 with crank pin 4 at rest in the opposite end of link to its first position, ready for the automatic closing of the door.

While the member 1 is at rest on pin 8, trip I and crank 3 are held in a more or less horizontal position by link 5 which with rod 8 is suspended from pin 8.

The door may be closed and opened manually with the same case as when no automatic opener and closer is attached. when the door is closing, the long bevel HD on the lower end of keeper IIA strikes and rides onto bolt l1 and forces it back against spring IIB until the bolt has entered hole in keeper Fig. 15.

When opening the door manually from the outside of garage, bolt I1 is withdrawn from the keeper HA by operating manually the lever IIE, Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17. This is held loosely against the side of door post D by .two screws "G, which hold it in position but permit it a limited movement indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 14, 15 and 16. -'Ihe end of the member HE extending outside of the garage shown in Figs. 15 and 16 forms a handle which may be deflected sidewise toward the garage door indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 15 and 17; this will throw the inner end of the member "E in the opposite direction and this end acting against a pin F in bolt I! withdraws the bolt from keeper HA as indicated by the dotted lines in Figs.'14, 15, and 17.

When the door is closed manually, all of the I moving parts of the mechanism return automatically to the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 2 which is their positions ready for opening the door automatically by a car wheel. Inversely, when the door is opened manually, all of the parts revert to the'positions which they occupy after the door has been opened automatically. Therefore, they are in position for automatically closing the door by driving a car wheel over trip I in the direction of arrow IB, Figs. 2 and 3.

The cycle of operation to close the door automatically is as follows:

The trip I is depressed by the rear wheel of the receding car (backing out of the garage) to the horizontal position indicated by the arrow IB, Figs. 2 and 3. This carries crank 3 to a horizontal position in the opposite direction and crank pin 4 describes the arc XX, Fig. 2 and carries the link 5 from position 53 to the position indicated by dotted lines at 5C, Fig. 2. This moves rod 6 in the same direction (the reverse of that in the opening cycle) and elevates it to the position indicated by the dotted line at 6B. This action of rod 6 moves the short arm of hell crank ll thru a ninety degree arc to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2. This movement of the bell crank causes the end of its long arm to descend from position l9 to its position shown in Fig. 2.

This immediately puts spring MB of member I in maximum tension. Simultaneously the device l coordinates with pin 9, Figs. 2 and 8 as heretofore shown acting with pin 8 in the opening cycle, except that the member 1 moves in the reverse direction to that for the opening cycle. Latch hook 'IB is secured to pin before the car wheel is of! the trip. Compression in rod 3 holds the member 13 on the member 9. At this stage of the closing cycle, members I4 and I! are in line from position IE3 at door overhead to the outer extremity of the long arm of. bell crank II and stud ISA in bracket I5 at position IISB is at the upper end of link I6. The pull of the memnormal length and link I6 ceases to descend, then stud ISA continues to ride down link I6 to its lower end. The normal length of spring MB is such that stud I5A reaches the lower end of link I6 before the door is entirely closed. The farther And the link proper instead of having its internal ends semi-circular as shown in Fig. 11, has in each internal end a shoulder shown in 1'18. 21 at R and S.

Crank pin 4 has a tooth cut in it as shown In Fig. 24. This is on the under side of the pin when the crank 3 is vertical. Bee Figs. 21 and 26.

Latch bolt "and itsconnecting rod I. are here shown operated from rod O-X. Rod I8 normally rests in the crack between edge of door F and door post D.

Latch bolt II, Fig. 19, holds the door closed until released by connecting rod I acted upon by rod 8-K to which it is attached F18. 19.

Rod 8X, Fig. 19, has at its inner end an eye III, Figs. 19 and 20, which rides on a-flxed stud in the end of the short arm of bell crank II, Fig. 19.

To the other (outer) end of rod 6-K and in line with it is fixed a pipe or tube 8'XC, Figs. 19 and 20.

Into the open end of this tube, rod 0 slides freely.

movement of the door to complete closing therefore sets spring MB slightly in compression, sufficient to slightly rotate bell crank II in the same direction it had been moving, 1. e. slightly depressing the end of the long arm of bell crank. This rotation in the short arm of the bell crank puts tension in rod 6, a slight movement of which drags hook latch IB off the pin 9, thus dropping rod 6 and link 5 and permitting lever 3 and trip I to resume the perpendicular. Link 5 drops to the position shown at 5 in Fig. 2. (This compression in the member MB softens the impact of door on sill).

The mechanism is now ready to repeat the opening cycle. When the door closes, as its lower edge strikes and before it can rebound, bolt I! having passed over the incline I'ID slides into keeper I'IA under impulse of spring "B. The latch bolt is not essential to successful operation of the mechanism at the higher car speeds.

The padlock which ordinarily is used to lock this type of door at night, may be used in the daytime to lock the handle of lever I'IE to a fixed staple and so prevent the manual opening of the door. This would not of course prevent the automatic operation of the door.

With this operator the trip may be within twelve feet of the door and work satisfactorily, though the car would have to move slowly going in and faster going out. In cramped space the trip may be as close as six feet to the door; in this case the car must stop after riding the trip to permit the door to open; and in backing out the rear wheel would be steered clear of the trip and the trip operated by the front wheel to close the door.

This device will operate a garage door of double width; either from the side or from the center of the door. The wheel following the one that operates the trip either way will run over the trip also, but will be inoperative beyond rod 6.

Fig. 19 shows the mechanism detached from the door. In this view the design is modified though the principle is the same as in Fig, 2.

In this, member I4 is a rigid connecting rod and spring IlB is applied on rod 6 which is made telescopic.

Link 5 has a long gooseneck with rigid hooks to perform the function of hook latches 'IA and 'I--B, hereinbefore shown.

overriding both rod 6 and tube l-XC and attached at one of its ends torod I and at its other end to tube 6-XC as shown in Figs. 19 and 20 is the helical spring Il-B shown in Fig. 20 in normal position with relation to rod 3 and tube 8-X-C. Spring I4-B is attached to rod 6 at a distance from the end of the tube equal to the length of crank 3 and in normal position the end of rod 6 is a distance away from the closed end of tube equal to the length of crank 3. Also the length of the tube is such that when rod 5 is withdrawn from normal position a distance equal to the length of crank 3 there will be then remaining of rod 6 within the tube an ample length to permit the rod 6 to slide freely in the member 6--XC without binding due to the weight of the parts in the horizontal position.

To open the door automatically the cycle of operation is as follows:

The car wheel depresses trip I to horizontal position in direction'of arrow I-A, Fig. 19. This carries crank 3 to horizontal position in the opposite direction and crank pin 4 describes an arc indicated by arrow X carrying link 5 to the position shown by dotted lines at 5-A which carries the rod 6 horizontally and vertically to position 5-A, Fig. 19.

When rod 6 is moved to position 6A it withdraws from tube 6--X--C a distance equal to the length of crank 3 thereby setting spring "-3 in maximum tension, for the tube and rod 6X cannot immediately follow rod 6, they being attached to bell crank l I which is held immovable ihru member I4 by the stud I5A on the locked oor.

When link 5 has reached the position 5-A then hook '|-A .on the gooseneck of link 5, Fig. 21, has contacted pin 8, Fig. 19, (as hook 'I-B is shown contacting pin 9 in Fig. 21 for the closing action) and crank 3 has become horizontal, then the tooth on crank pin 4 is turned up as shown at the extreme left end of link 5 in Fig. 21and having cleared the shoulder in this end of the link, the link will retract or slip back into close contact with the crank pin, the link being in tension from the tension in rod 6.

At this horizontal position of the crank 3 the hook l-A should bear against the side of pin 8 as hook 'IB is shown bearing against the side of pin 9, Fig. 21; and the trip I should be set to revolve slightly below the horizontal, thus raising crank 3 slightly above the horizontal; this will elevate hook l-'-A to slip over the top of pin 8 under the influence of the said tension in link 5. This relieves the weight of link 6 and rod 6 from the crank pin, which if bearing on the crank pin in the exact horizontal position would clamp the crank pin tooth onto the shoulder of link with great force. This relieved position of crank pin is shown by the diagram, Fig. 24, which is drawn for the pin atthe opposite end of the link.

Hook I-A is on pin8 before the car wheel has left the trip I. Simultaneously the rod 6 having reached its highest elevation at 6- -A and having elevated the member I8 on the rod 6-X to 6XA to release the latch bolt II as previously described, the door is free to open.

The tension in the member 6-)! acting on the short arm of hell crank ll moves it thru arc of 90 degrees moving the long arm of the bell crank to the position indicated at 19. This elevates bar II which acting on stud l6A on bracket I attached to the door, moves the door upward.

When the energy stored in springll-B has been exhausted and the bar ll ceases to rise, the momentum of the door and the action of springs L before shown herein, Fig. 2, complete the opening of the door, the stud lB-A riding in and to the top of link l6.

As shown hereinbefore in Fig. 2 link I6 is of such length that stud l5A reaches the top of the link before the door has come to rest in its open position, so that the members I6 and I4 are drawn slightly upward by the further movement of the door and the bell crank II is rotated further in the direction of its previous rotation, thus putting compression into the member 6-K and the spring Il-B causing a slight movement in rod 6 and link 5, sumcient to remove hook l-A from the pin 8, Fig. 19. This permits rod 6 and link 5 to drop, returning crank 9 andtrip I to the vertical. Link 5 will then be in, position 5-28 shown by dotted lines in Fig. 19.

To close the door automatically the car wheel rotates trip I in direction of the arrow l-B, swinging crank 3 and crank pin 4 up in the direction of arrow XX, Fig. 19. This swings link 6 from position 5-3 to position 5C and sets hook 1-B on pin 9.

It also sets rod 6 to position 6-B, telescoping the rod 6 into tube 6X-C and compressing spring l4-B to its maximum. This compression acts on the rod 6-X to return bell crank to the position shown at H in Fig. 19. This draws the members l4 and I6 downward thus moving stud lS-A in bracket l5 attached to door. When bell crank i I reaches the position as shown in Fig. 19, bar l4 and link I6 cease to move downward. The momentum of the descending door continues to close it with stud l5-A riding down in and to the bottom of link l6.

Stud l5-A reaches the bottom of link I6 before the door is completely closed. The remaining downward movement of the door depresses the long arm of hell crank slightly. Rotation of the bell crank moves the members 6-X, 14-13, 6 and the link 5, sufficiently to drag the hook 'l-B oil of the pin 9 permitting the link 5 to fall and release the crank 3 and the trip I.

The design shown in Fig. 19 requires a pit but no trench. A shallow trench for it would reduce the length of the gooseneck on link 5 reducing lateral stress in rod 6, and admit ofcovering the works in a cold climate. The use of the solid books on pins 8 and 9 is especially dependable and satisfactory.

A trip operated mechanism using a rack and quadrant gear for a straight line movement of rod 6 is shown in Figs. 28 and 29. It may be used with the elastic member I 4-13 or its equivalent on the memberst or on H as shown. in Figs. 2 and 19.

As shown in Fig. 28 it is in the position assumed when the door is closed. It is operated by what may be termed a lost motion clutch in which a dog or member 29, Figs. 28 and 29, is keyed to a shaft 21 which is an extension of the bearing of trip I. Quadrant gear 22, Figs. 28 and 29, which is free to rotate or reciprocate on shaft 2| has a cavity irrits hub 23, Fig. 28, in which a dog 29 acts. This cavity is between the faces 23-A and 23-13, Fig. 28. The dog is shown in Fig. 28 in vertical position and in contact with face 23-13 and trip I is in the vertical position. If a car wheel rotates the trip to position l-A, Fig. 28, then the dog will rotate'in the same direction andthru the same degrees of are. This action rotates the peripher of quadrant gear 22 in the same direction, and its teeth meshing with the teeth on the rack 24, Figs.;28 and 29, the rack is moved to the position indicated by dotted lines inFig. 28 thereby moving rod 6 in the same direction, which is its movement for opening the door. The trip and dog are instantly returned to the vertical position when the car wheel is past, by the action of a hellcal spring 25 on the shaft-2| with one end secured in dog 20 and the other end secured in the stationary case casting shown in Fig. 29. The spring is at rest only when the trip I is in the vertical position, and is stressed when the trip is rotated to left or right and when so stressed has sufiicient power to return the trip and dog to the vertical position.

In the action above recited, the face 2 3 A is rotated to such a position'that when dog'29 is returned to the vertical position it will be in contact with the face 23-A therefore ready to be acted upon by the trip in the direction indicated a by l-B, Fig. 28 in which direction inversely the rack will be moved to its position shown in Fig. 28 thereby moving the rod 6 in the direction to close the door. 26 is a roller to keep the rack in mesh with gear Figs. 28 and 29. There is lost motion between the teeth of the gear and rack to permit the final short movement of the rod 6 to release the hooks from the anchor pins 8 and 9 without moving the gear.

The hooks acting on the pins 8 and 9 sh'own in Figs. 21 and 8 are not adapted to the straight line action of the rod 6. The mechanism shown in Figs. 30, 31, 32 and 33 is adaptable to the'straight line movement of the rod 6. This is preferably installed near the trip end of the rod 6 as the other end at the bell crank has a slight down and up movement thru the arc of movement of the short arm of the bell crank.

Referring to Fig. 30, I is a member secured to rod 6 and having two lugs l-A and 1--B which alternately operate on anchor pins 8 and 9 when opening and closing a garage door. 21 and 28 are fingers reciprocating on fixed studs 29 and bearing by gravity on pins 30. 3| is a peg in the side of bar 6 and at the center line of the member I.

Rod 6 is shown in normal position by solid lines in Fig. 30 and in this position peg 3! is higher than the lower extremities of the fingers.

In operation when trip I is rotated in one direction, rod 6 moves to the left lengthwise only until the peg 3| contactsthe inclined plane on the back. of the finger 21. The farther lengthwise travel of the member 6 is combined with vertical movement, peg 3i riding up on the back of finger 21. when trip I is down and rod 8, which is now in position 8A, has reached the ,end of its initial travel, peg 3| has stopped at the upper extremity of finger 21, position 3IA Fig. 30, and lug 'I-A has acted on and passed beyond anchor pin 8. Anchor pins 8 and 9 for this de- 7 sign are made to telescope within a shell 32, Fig. 33. The front end of pin is a beveled strike 33 acted upon by lugs I-A and 1-3. The hori-' thus holds the bevel of the strike in proper position. A washer riveted on the back end of the pilot pin, confines the'spring. The shell 32 is held in place by a threaded nut on its back end 38. F18. 33. g

The final slight movement of rod 8 in the same direction removes peg at 3I-A off the finger, permitting rod 8 (which has been stressed upward out of normal position) to drop to normal position. This leaves lug 'I-A below and clear of pin 8 and peg 3| at position 3I-B. From this position, when trip I is rotated in the. direction opposite to that above described, the peg 3| at position 3I-B moves to the right, moving finger 21 up and out of its path and riding up onto finger 28, reversing the cycle of operation as described.

The fingers are loose on studs 29 and when the fingers are elevated by peg 3i passing below them, they dropback by gravity onto pins 30. Pins 30 prevent rod 8 from sagging below its normal position.

Figures 34 to.44 inclusive show a different application of ari elastic and/or flexible member employed in an automatic mechanism to open and close a garage door.

The elastic member 31, Fig. 35, is in the form of a fiat spiral spring joined to the bell crank II by connecting rod I4.-

The trip I is in a depression or shallow and narrow trench; the purpose of which is to decrease the liability of a pedestrian catching his toe under the trip. It also gives the car wheel more power on the trip because of the lurch of the car.

The operation of the rod 6 is by a rack and quadrantgear with the rack above the gear, which imparts to the rod 6 straight line motion in the same direction as the rotation of trip I. This necessitates reversal of the bell crank II from its position shown in Fig. 2. This is shown in Fig. 35. As shown in Fig. 43 the trip mechanism is in the position it assumes when the door is closed.

Referring to Figs. 43 and 44 in which the dog is keyed to shaft 2I, the quadrant gear 22 which is free to reciprocate on shaft 2i has a cavity 23 in its hub in which dog 20 acts. This cavity is between the faces 23A and 233, Fig. 43. The dog is shown within the cavity and contacting face 233 and trip I is in the vertical position.

If a car wheel rotates the trip'to position IA then the dog will rotate in the same direction and thru the same degrees of arc. Thisaction rotates the member 22 and the periphery of thequadrant gear in the same direction; its teeth meshing with the teethon the rack 24 moves the rack in the direction in which trip I has been rotated. v This leaves the teeth in the gear and the rack in contact which are shown farthest apart in Fig. 43, and those farthest apart which are shown in contactin Fig. 43. This action moves rod 6 in the same direction in which trip I has been rotated, which is its direction for opening the garage door.

Trip I and dog 20' are instantly returned to the vertical position when the car wheel has passed over, by the action of helical spring 25 on shaft 2I, Fig. 44 as heretofore described and shown in Fig. 29. This spring returning the trip I to the perpendicular when trip has been rotated in either direction.

The rotation of gear 22 as above described, rotates the face 23A to such a position that when dog 20 returns to the vertical position, dog 20 will be in contact with face 23A, and ready to x be acted upon by trip I in the direction indicated by IB which action will move the gear and rack to the positions shown in Fig. 43 and the movement of rod 6 will be in the direction to close the garage door.

The roller 26 Figs. 43 and 44 is an idler to keep the rack in contact with the quadrant gear.

There is lost motion between the teeth of rack and gear for the purpose explained in connection with Fig. 28.

The anchor pins, lugs and mechanism shown in Figs. 30 to 33 inclusive are adaptable to this design.

In Fig. 35 the garage door is in its closed position. To open it automatically, trip I is depressed in the direction of arrow IA,'which action through the quadrant gear and the rack propels rod 6 in a straight line movement in the direction in which trip I is rotated. This movement of the member 8 rotates the short arm of hell crank II thru aniarc of 90 degs. to the position'occupied by its long arm in Fig. 35. This rotates the extremity of the long arm of bell crank to position IS in Fig. 35. This movement of hell crank thru connecting rod I4 in Fig. 35 moves the outer extremity of spring 31 at 38 in Fig. 35, to the position indicated at 39 (see also Fig. 37) at position .38, spring 31 is at rest or normal.

At position the spring is under maximum stress when the door is closed. The spring 31 at its inner end is bolted to a member 40, Figs. 38, 39 and 41 on pivot J which is free to reciprocate on pivot J and which has on one of its sides, integral with it, a dog 4|, Figs. 3'7, 38, 39, and

' 41. Also on pivot J is a member, 42, Figs. 3'7, 38, 39, 40 and 42 which is free to reciprocate on pivot proximately 60 degs.

J and which is bolted to one of the clamps J2, which with clamp J I holds the arms H and I which swing the door around pivot J. '(These clamps are free to reciprocate on pivot J.) Member 42 has in one of its sides a cavity 43, Figs. 37, 38, 40 and 42. This cavity extends from face 43A to face 433, Figs. 3'7, 40 and 42. The dog 4! operates withincavity 43.

When the door is closed and the end of the spring is at 38 then dog H which is attached to the spring is in the vertical position within the cavity, as shown in Figs. 37 and 40.

In this position dog II is in contact with cavity face 43B. Elevating the end of the spring to 39 thus putting the maximum stress in spring 31 rotates the dog H to the right inFig. 40 to the'position shown by dotted lines at B, F18. 40.

This rotation of the dog is thru an arc of ap- The contact of the dog with the face 438 rotates member 42 thru the door is fully open.

same are, and the member 42 bolted to clamp J2 thus carries arms H and I thru an equal arc. This places arm H where I is shown in Fig. 35 and arm I is vertical. With the door thus partly open, its momentum and the increasing pull of 2siprings L complete the overhead opening of the cor. a

With the spring at rest in the position 39 and 4| 'in the position B, the completion of the door openingcauses face 433 to leave the dog and travel to position 4332!, Fig. 40 when the Simultaneously face 43A, Fig. 40 rotates to contact with the dog when the door is fully open.

In this position it is ready for the door closing operation, and the spring is at rest at position 39.

To close the door, trip I is rotated to position I-B causing rack 24 and rod 6 to travel in the same direction as that in which the trip rotates. This returns the bell crank to the position shown in Fig. 35. Through H the spring 31 has its outer end transferred from position 39 to 38 which puts maximum stress in the spring. The spring stress returns dog 4| to vertical position, and as the cavity face 43A is in contact with the dog, 42 is rotated to close the door. The stress in the spring carries the door thru an arc of approximately sixty degrees. The momentum of the descending door completes its closing. During the latter part of the door closing, the

' bell crank to load the spring, means operative cavity face 43-A recedes from the dog 4| and the 'cavity face 43-3 rotates to contact with the dog.

By having the cavity faces contact the dog before the door has completely opened and closed, the slight secondary movement of rod 6 (as hereinbefore mentioned) is performed, which removes the hooks or lugs from anchor pins 8 and 9.

The door may be opened and closed manually as is that in Fig. 2.

A pipe roller on trip I is desirable especially on those of short radius.

With a trip inside the garage and with a rod connecting it with the bell crank, the device is double acting; that is to say, when the car enters the garage and runs over the inside trip, the door will close, and when the car going out runs over the inside trip, the door automatically opens, and closes when the car runs over the outside trip.

These devices slightly modified are applicable also to hinged doors and to gates both hinged and 01' the overhead type.

I claim:

1. In a mechanism for opening and closing doors, an exterior pivoted trip device, an interior door opening and closing mechanism, said trip device including spaced alignedbearings, a tripping arm mounted in said bearings and adapted to be rocked by the wheel of an automobile, a

' crank arm on said tripping arm, said interior mechanism including a pivoted bell crank, said bell crank including a relatively short arm and a relatively long arm, a reciprocating rod, said rod having one end secured to said short arm and having the other end adjustably secured to said crank arm, a pair of opposed dogs mounted on said reciprocating rod, means whereby said as said bell crank is moved to release said spring and means operable upon release of the spring to move a door.

2. In a mechanism for opening and closing overhead doors, an exterior pivoted trip device adapted to be rocked by the wheel of an automobile, an interior door opening and closing mechanism, said interior mechanism including a pivoted bell crank, said bell crank including a relatively short arm and a relatively long arm, a reciprocating rod, said rod having one end secured to said short arm and having the other end adjustably secured to said trip device, a telescoping member connected to the outer end of said relatively long arm, a combined compression and tension spring having one end secured to theupper end of said telescoping member and having the other end secured to the lower end thereof, a second elongated apertured link fixed in alignment with and extending upwardly from said telescoping member, a bracket adapted to be mounted on a door, a stud on said bracket movably positioned in said link, a rod, one end of said rod being pivotally secured to said long arm at a point intermediate the length of'said long arm, said interior mechanism including a pivoted trigger, the other end of said rod being pivotally secured to said trigger, a latch bolt mounted to reciprocate on said support, means to normally urge said latch bolt in one direction, means whereby said trigger actuates said bolt in a reverse direction, a lever, means for actuating said bolt by said lever, a keeper adapted to be mounted on a door, an aperture in said keeper, and means to align said bolt with said aperture.

3. In a mechanism for opening and closing overhead doors, an exterior pivoted trip device, an interior door opening and closing mechanism, said trip device including spaced aligned bearings, a tripping arm mounted in said bearings and adapted to be rocked by the wheel of an.

automobile, a crank arm on said tripping arm, said interior mechanism including a pivoted bell crank, said bell crank including a relatively short arm and a relatively long arm, a reciprocating rod, said rod having one end secured to said short arm and having the other end adjustably secured to said crank arm, a pair of opposed dogs mounted on said reciprocating rod, means whereby said dogs hold the reciprocating rod in either extreme positions, means to release said dogs upon actuation of said interior mechanism, a telescoping member connected to the outer end of said relatively long arm, a combined compression and tension spring having one end secured to the upper end of said telescoping member and having the other end secured to the lower end thereof, a second elongated apertured link fixed in alignment with and extending upwardly from said telescoping member, a bracket adapted to be mounted on a door, a stud on said bracket movably positioned in said link, a rod, one end of said rod being pivotally secured to said long arm at a point intermediate the length of said long arm, said interior mechanism including a pivoted trigger, the other end of said rod being pivotally secured to said trigger, a support adapted to be mounted on said interior mechanism, a latch bolt mounted to reciprocate on said support, means to normally urge said latch belt in one direction, means whereby said trigger actuates said bolt in a reverse direction, a lever,

keeper adapted to be mounted on a door, an aperture in said keeper, and means to align said bolt with said aperture.

4. In a-mechanism for opening and closing doors, an exterior pivoted trip device, an interior door opening and closing mechanism, said trip device including a tripping arm adapted to be rocked by the wheel of an automobile, a crank arm on said tripping arm, said interior mechanism including a pivoted bell crank, a reciproeating rod, said rod having one end secured to one arm of said bell crank and having the other end secured to said crank arm, a pair of dogs mounted on said rod, means whereby said dogs releasably hold said rod in either extreme position, a spring connected to the other arm oi said bell crank, means to load said spring, means operative as said bell crank is moved. to release said spring, and means operable upon release of the spring to move a door.

. 5.'In a mechanism for opening and closing doors, an exterior trip device, an interior door opening and closing mechanism, said trip device including a tripping arm adapted to be rocked by the wheel or an automobile, a crank arm on said tripping arm, said interior mechanism including a bell crank, a reciprocating rod, said rod having one end secured to one of said bell means for actuating said bolt-by said lever, a

crank arms and the other end secured to said crank arm, means to secure said rod in either extreme position, means to release said rod upon actuation of said interior mechanism, a spring connected to the other arm of said bell crank, means to load and release said spring upon movementof said bell crank, and means operable upon release of the spring to move a door.

6. In a mechanism for opening and closing doors, an exterior trip device, an interior door opening and closing mechanism, said trip device including a tripping arm adapted to be rocked by the wheel of an automobile, a crank arm on said tripping arm, said interior mechanism including a bell crank, a reciprocating rod, said rod having one end secured to one of said bell crank arms and the other end secured to said crank arm, means to hold said rod in either extreme position, means to release said rod upon actuation of said interior mechanism, a spring connected to the other arm of said bell crank, means operable upon actuation of said trip device to energize said spring, a hook device on said rod, means engaging said hook device to hold said spring energized, means operative when said spring is fully energized to release said spring, and means operated by said spring to move a door. CHARLES F. WHI'I'ILESEY. 

